4 Safety and security checks prior to entry

4.1          It is important for the terminal to ensure that CTUs accepted into the terminal are safe for operations and do not present a threat to the safety and security of the terminal, or ships and personnel within its environs. It is particularly important to ensure that "paperless" systems do not result in any dilution of the need to verify documentation.

4.2          The terminal should undertake the following actions at the first entry gate of the export yard, or while the CTU is in the terminal and before it goes onto a ship:

• Match the carrier's documentation against that of the haulier in order to prevent fraudulent shipments;
• Check the integrity of the CTU and its seal in order to preclude stowaways and the smuggling of contraband or threats to security. Whenever a broken or missing seal is found, it should be reported to the shipper and the authorities, and replaced with a new seal. The new seal number should be recorded;
• Check the CTU number against documentation;
• Check the presence of placards and markings on CTUs containing dangerous goods and verify them against documentation;
• Verify the gross mass against documentation by use of a weighbridge or mass gauge/load indicator on yard equipment or, alternatively, verify that accurate gross mass determination has occurred before entry and that such determination was compliant with international requirements, where applicable, or accepted best practice;
• Ensure, during the lifting of the CTU by any terminal equipment, that an evaluation is made by the operator to check that the mass of the cargo is reasonably evenly distributed. If it is determined to exceed the "60% within half the length rule", the terminal should take steps to rectify the problem;
• Sideline any CTU that appears to be structurally unsound and/or unsafe for a more detailed examination;
• Check the lashing of non-enclosed CTUs;
• Confirm the dimensions of out of gauge cargo and update booking data accordingly;
• Notify the CTU operator if out of gauge cargo is found to be improperly or inadequately secured to the CTU;
• Check reefer temperatures against setting and, in cases where the allowable variance is exceeded, follow up with the CTU operator. A reasonable temperature variance should be set to trigger follow up action with CTU operators, and this should vary depending on the cargo type, i.e. chilled or frozen. If this is not possible at the gate due to a low battery, then the check should be made when the CTU is plugged into the terminal's power supply;
• Check reefer plugs and wires for defects prior to plugging into the terminal's reefer system.